Monday, March 4, 2013

The $14.97 Monstrosity

In a previous blog post, I lamented my lack of thrift "finds" and poked fun at the fact that everyone else in blog-land seemed to be able to score amazing things at the local Good Army/Salvation Will places.

I think I finally found one of mine own.

I've long wanted a button-tufted ottoman for a coffee table. I really wanted a round button-tufted ottoman for a coffee table. But even the basic ones were out of my budget; the "plain" Hayes ottoman at Ballard's starts at $300

I don't think the manufacturer could have chosen a more repulsive fabric if they had been held at knifepoint and ordered to do so. Cheap plaid taffeta...really? But I stopped and looked. I hiked up the skirt and it was immaculately clean underneath. I did the sniff test, which must have looked hilarious to the other shoppers. Passed. I sat on it - extremely sturdy with no wobbles. Some of the buttons are missing, but the tufting holes are in place and easily located.

Then I checked the price. Oh. $49.97 - not a bad deal, but more than I had to spend. Maybe next time it will still be the...wait. What? Lemme check that tag again. That's not a 4...that's a 1. Yep - $14.97. I snatched that yellow tag off so fast I almost got a paper cut.

I believe in my little romantic heart that I can make this look almost as good as the Ballard number. I have ordered a swatch of this fabric:

It's cotton upholstery fabric and it's only $8 a yard. If it suits, I'm going to go for it, and I might use it to make drapery panels and pillows for my sofa.